March 1, 20265 min read
5 Cover Letter Mistakes That Instantly Get You Rejected
Recruiters skim in 6 seconds. Here are the 5 patterns that end that skim early — and what to do instead.
The 5 killers
1. **Starting with "I am writing to apply for…".** Cut it. Lead with a hook.
2. **Repeating your resume.** The cover letter is a story, not a summary.
3. **Generic "your company"**. Show you read their About page or a recent launch.
4. **Wall of text.** 3 short paragraphs, ~250 words total.
5. **No specific result.** One quantified achievement earns you the interview.
What to do instead
Open with a specific hook. Bridge to why THIS company. Close with one metric and a clear ask. Done.
Faster: use a generator
Paste your resume + the JD into ResumeHQ's cover letter tool — it drafts a tailored letter in seconds.